Aeroplane



B. B. WOOD.

AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10. I921.

Patented Dec. 13, 1921.

a SHE s-smazr 1. h g N 9 W/ T/VE SSE 8 B. B. WOOD.

AEROPLANE.

I 7 APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10, I92]. 1,399,591 3. Patented Dec. 13, 1921.

3 SHEETS- RH E l/WE/VTOR A T TOR'IVE Y S B. B. WOOD.

AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10, 1921.

Patentd De0.'13, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- WITNESSES INVE/VTUR .BE'T'I'B. Vl oog A TTOB/VEYS UNITED STATES BERT 3. W001), ormnnmroms, Mmnriso'ra.

Annemarie.

To all whom it may concern."

Be it known that I, BERT of Minneapolis, in the county of Hennepin and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Aeroplanes, of which the following is a speci fi.

cation. I

My invention relates generally to aeroplanes, and the purpose of my invention is the provision of an aeroplane designed to carry a large number of passengers and which is provided with planes constructed and arranged to form eflicient sustaining means and which .are adapted to form a parachute for retarding the fall of the aeroplane to the ground in the event of an accident, such a the failure of the motor to con tinue its operations. 7

It is also a purpose of my invention to provide an. extremely simple and efficient framework for the secure and rigid supporting of the planes upon the fuselage, and an aeroplane which is capable of being readily steered provided with pontoons to permit of its functioning as a hydro-plane.

I will describe two forms of aeroplane embodying my invention and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is aview showing in side elevation one form of aeroplane embodying my invention with the material constituting the actual planes removed from the frame-' work. A

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the aeroplane shown in Fig. 1. v V

Fig. 3 is a view showing in rear elevation the aeroplane shown in the preceding views with the planes in section.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail perspective view of one of the subsidiary planes comprised in the aeroplaneshown in the preceding views.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 of the horizontal. rudder of the aeroplane shown in the preceding views.

Figs. 6 and 7 are views similar to Fig. 5 showing one of; the vertical rudders.

Fig. :5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view showing in section a portion of one of the supporting beams comprised in the framework of the aeroplane.

Fig. 9 is a, transverse sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing B. Woon, v citizen of the United States, and a resident form of aeroplane embodying ;-Simi lar reference characters refer to simi-' lar par-it's 'in 'ieach of the several views.

Referring "specifically to. the drawings and particularly to Figs; 1,32 and"3,'my

Specification ofl etters Patent. 1921i 7 invention in its present embodiment consists of'a' fuselage "F having the contourof aboat and provided with a cabin in which the operator. and passengers are adapted to be carried. The fuselage F is supported for movement over the ground by means of depending bifurcated-arms .15 which carry wheels 16, and arranged at the sides of the fuselage above the wheels are propellers L for driving the aeroplane, such propellers being operated by a suitable mechanism (not shown) connected to the motors contained in the fuselage. Arranged above and wholly supported upon the fuselage is a framework consisting in the present instance of two longitudinally extending main supporting beams B and B that are connected at intervals throughout their length and rigidly held in spaced parallel relation by means of transverse bars or rods B. The rods R are supported intermediate their ends by vertically extendingv bars or rods R' which are preferably arranged in groups ofthree with the bars of each group intersecting the correspondin transverse bar R and rigidly con nected t ereto by means of joints J. The

rods R are rigidly supported at their lower] ends upon the fuselage F in sockets S.

.Upstanding from the main'beams B and B at regular intervals throughout their length are relatively short rods R which are formed at the upper ends with sleeve bearings 17 that are alined one with respect to the other to provide means for supporting shafts T and 'T', respectively, to which are hingedly connected lanes P and P respectively. The planes and P are subsidiary to a main plane designated at P which, as shown to advantage in Fig. 3, is arranged in spanning relation to the shafts T and T and is curved transversely in the form of an are. The main plane P is rigidly supported throughout its length by curved ribs 18 which extend transversely of the plane at regular spaced intervals throughout its length and which are connected at their ends to the sleeves 17. The ribs 18 are supported intermediate their ends by ribs 19 which extend longitudinally of the main plane and which are supported at their ex- As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the framework.

.for the planes is constructed at its forward and rear ends to provide supporting means for a head plane P anda tail plane P. As shown in Fig. 2, vertically controlling planes P are arranged at the opposite edges of the head plane P these planes being mounted for rocking movement upon the shafts 20* arranged adjacent the forward edge of the planes and operable by suitable mechanism located in the cabin 0 he fuselage to efiect a vertical swinging movement of the planes about the shafts as centers.

The main plane P is constructed with oppositely inclined end portions 21 that merge into the head and tail planes P and P in such manner as to provide a pocket in which air is adaptedto be trapped for retarding the descent of the aeroplane as will be more fully described hereinafter. The planes P and P are inclined downwardly in the direction of the main plane P and are curved transversely in the form of an arc. The subsidiary planes P and P are curved transversely as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4, it being particularly noted that the planes are tapered in thickness from their pivoted edges to their free edges and are sharply curved downwardly at their pivoted edges. These plates P and P are adapted to normally occupy a spread position as shown in Fig. 3 but are movable to occupy a folded position as indicated in For moving the dotted lines in Fig. 3. planes to either of these positions, a plurality of cables C are secured at one of their ends to the upper side of the planes and are then trained over pulleys 22 and 23 suitably supported upon the framework of the main plane. P From these pulleys the 'cables are then extended downwardly and trained about pulleys 24 fixed on a shaft 25 journaled in bearings 26 arranged at inter rection or the other.

vals within the main supporting beams B and B. From the pulleys 24 the cables C pass downwardly into the cabin of the fuselage Where suitable manually operated means (not shown) is provided for effecting the movement of the cables in one di- From this means the cables are extended from the cabin and connected to the under side of the planes P and P" as shown in Figs. 3. By this arrangement it will be seen that the planes P and P can be manipulated to occupy folded or expanded'positions' or'any intermediate po sitions, and; that by locking'the operating means in thefcabin the planes can be main-- tained in any adjusted position.

of the aeroplane is effected.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 8 and 9, it will be seen that each of the main supporting beamsB and B is of tubular form with its greatest diameter at a point medially of its ends. The bearings 26 which are arranged at intervals along the shaft 25 serve to thoroughly reinforce the beam and are in the form of perforated disks provided with axial openings to receive the shaft and formed at their peripheries with flanges 26 that are riveted or otherwise secured to the beams. It is to be understood that the beams are formed with suitable openings through which the cables C extend and with suitable sockets for the reception of the 8U rods R Extending from the lower side of the beams B and B are vertically arranged rods R which are adapted 'to coact with in-. clined rods R connected to the fuselage for supporting pontoons N at the sides of the fuselage 1n' the manner clearly shown in Fig. 1. These pontoons serve to allow of the aeroplane taking flight from the water or lighting on the water and are preferably, although not necessarily, of the form shown.

For the purpose of controlling the hori-' zontal flight of the aeroplane, a rudder-D is pivotally supported on a vertical axis at the rear end ofthe fuselage F, this rudder being manually operable by the cables C which extend into the cabin of the fuselage for actuation by the'operator, the arrange ment of the cablesbeing such as to swing the rudder laterally from its normal position in either. direction. For controlling the vertical flight of the aeroplane, the planes P are provided and in addition thereto a third plane P located at the rear end of the aeroplane and in horizontal alinement with the planes P This plane P is of the same contour as the planes P and is pivotally supported at the point indicated at 27 to allow of its movement in a horizontal plane. The plane 'P" is actuated through the medium of cables C connected to opposite sides of the plane and trained over suitable pulleys and extended into the cabin of the fuselage.

In practice, all parts of the aeroplane are preferably made of aluminum so as to render it light, strong and durable. With the propellers L rotated a forward movement Under the action of the air impinging upon the planes P and P an elevation of the aeroplane is secured, this action beingaugmented by the 'air impinging upon the under side of the air are in a sense trapped beneath these planes thus assisting in sustaining the aeroplane in the air and preventing sidewise skiddin By proper manipulation of these planes and P, the equilibrium of the aeroplane can be readily maintained even in sidewise or contrary currents of air, it being understood that the planes are adapted to be raised or lowered either together orseparately in the same manner as the wings of a bird. Should the propellers L fail to function for any reason so that the forward movement of the aeroplane is discontinued, the planes P and P are immediately moved to folded position as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3 thereby causing these planes to coact with the main plane P in forming a parachute beneath which the air is trapped sufiiciently to appreciably retard the descent of the machine to the ground. The arrangement of the several planes is such as to maintain the machine in upright position during its gradual downward travel to the earth so that it will therefore be seen that the aeroplane can in safety descend to the earth when the propelling forces of the machine fails to function.

' Referringnow to Fig. 10, I have here shown a modified form of aeroplane which is substantially the same as the first form of aeroplane with the exception of its arrangement of propellers. In the present in stance, propellers L are arranged at opposite sides of the fuselage F at a point medially of its ends, while at the forward end of the fuselage a third propeller L is rotatably sustained at a point in advance of the fuselage by means of a shaft 28 journaled in a sleeve 29 and braced by a bar 30.

Although I have herein shown and described only two forms of aeroplanes embodying my invention, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made herein without departing from the spirit of the invention and the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. An aeroplane comprising, a fuselage, framework supported on. the fuselage, a main plane supported on "the framework, said main plane being curved transversely and having downwardly inclined end portions, head and tail planes at the ends of the main plane, and transversely curved subsidiary planes mounted at the sides of the main plane and movable to occupy expanded aw-i folded positions.

2. An aerop me comprising, a main sustaining plane curved transversely and having oppositely inclined end portions, a head plane in advance of the main plane and inclined upwardly from the main plane, controlling planes at the opposite sides of the head plane and movable about a horizontal axis, and subsidiary planes at the opposite sides of the main plane and at the rear of the controlling planes, said subsidiary plane being movable to occupy folded and expanded positions for the purpose described.

3. An aeroplane comprising, a fuselage, framework on the fuselage, a main sustaining plane supported on the framework, said plane being curved transversely in the form of an arc and having oppositely inclined end portions, head and tail planes at the ends of the main plane, and subsidiary planes at the sides of the main plane, the subsidiary planes being movable to occupy expanded and folded positions.

4. An aeroplane comprising, a fuselage, framework supported on the fuselage and including vertically and horizontally extending rods arranged in intersecting relation and rigidly connected to each other, main supporting beams connected to the horizontal rods, curved and linear ribs supported on the vertical rods, a main sustaining plane supported on said ribs, shafts supported on certainof the vertical rods, subsidiary planes pivotally supported on said shaft and arranged at opposite sides of the main plane, means for moving the subsidiary planes to occupy folded or expanded position with respect to the main plane, and a head plane in advance of the main plane.

5. An aeroplane comprising, a fuselage, framework supported on the fuselage and including vertically and horizontally extending rods arranged in intersecting relation and rigidly connected to .each other, main supporting beams connected to the horizontal rods, curved and linear ribs supported on the vertical rods, a main sustaining plane supported on said ribs, shafts supported on certain of the vertical rods, subsidiary planes pivotally supported on said shaft and arranged at opposite sides of the main plane,

means for moving the subsidiary planes to occupy folded or expanded position with respect to the main plane, and a head plane in advance of the main plane, controlling planes at the opposite sides of the head planeand at the rear of the main plane.

6. An aeroplane comprising, a fuselage, a framework supported on the fuselage, a; main sustaining plane supported on the framework, said main plane being curved transversely and having oppositely inclined end portions,'oppositely inclined head and framework supported on' the fuselag e, a

tail planes at the opposite ends of the main plane, subsidiary planes at the opposite sides of the main plane, said subsidiary planes being curved transversely and mounted for movement to occupyfolded or expanded position with respect to the main plane, a pair of controlling planes at the opposite sides of the head plane and in advance of the subsidiary plane, and a third controlling plane directly beneath the tail plane, propellers at opposite sides of the fuselage, pontoons at the sides of the fuselage, and a rudder at the rear end of the fuselage.

8. An aeroplane comprising, a fuselage, a framework supported on the fuselage, a main plane supported on the framework, said mai plane being curved transversely and provided at its ends with inclined portions, head and tail planes at the opposite ends of the main plane, and subsidiary planes at the sides of the main plane, said subsidiary planes being curved transversely and hingedly supported at one longitudinal edge to permit of their being moved to folded or expanded position with respect to the main planes, said subsidiary planes being tapered in thickness from their hin ed ends to their free ends.

9. An aerop ane comprising, a fuselage, a framework supported on the fuselage and including main'supporting beams, said beams being of tubular formation and having their greatest diameter at a point medially of their ends, disks secured at intervals throughout the length of the beams, shafts journaled in the disks, horizontally arranged rods connecting the beams at intervals throughout their length, and vertical rods supported on the fuselage and intersecting the horizontal rods, a main sustaining plane supported on the framework, subsidiary planes movably supported on the framework to occupy folded and expanded positions, cables for actuating the subsidiary planes, pulleys fixed to said shafts and about which the cables are adapted to be trained, and pontoons supported at the sides of the fuselage and directly beneath said beams.

BERT B. WOOD. 

